Testing the effects of the dye Acid violet-17 on retinal function for an intraocular application in vitreo-retinal surgery

Purpose: To facilitate epiretinal or inner limiting membrane peeling, dyes like Indocyanine Green (ICG) as well as Trypan Blue (TB) were used so far. However, toxic effects on the retina were described for both dyes. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a novel vital dye Acid violet-17 (AV-17) on retinal histology and function to assess a possible application in vitreo-retinal surgery.

Methods: AV-17 was dissolved in a solvent with heavy water. An electroretinogram was recorded on perfused bovine retina. After reaching stable b-wave amplitudes, AV-17 (0.125–0.5 mg/ml) or the solvent was applied epiretinally for 30–300 seconds. The b-wave amplitudes were recorded before, during, and after treatment. Cultures of bovine retina were incubated for 30 or 300 seconds with the dye or solvent and processed for live/dead staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting.

Results: Reductions of the b-wave amplitudes were observed directly after the exposure to AV-17, which were rapidly and completely reversible within the recovery period for all exposure times at the concentrations of 0.125 and 0.25 mg/ml as opposed to the partial recovery after exposure to 0.5 mg/ml. A high degree of damage in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and glial reactivity were detected at the concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/ml but not after exposure to lower concentrations or the solvent.

Conclusion: Application of AV-17 at a concentration of up to 0.125 mg/ml was well tolerated in terms of retinal function, survival in the GCL, and glial reactivity whereas higher concentrations are not recommended.